Speaking at a recent panel at Florida Supercon, actor Jeremy Renner opened up about his ongoing recovery from a near-fatal snowplow accident and revealed how the History Channel’s survival series, Alone, became a source of entertainment and comfort.
Renner, who was severely injured in early 2023, has been on a long road to recovery, crediting his family and friends for their crucial support during the months he was immobile. While bedridden, he discovered Alone, a reality show where individuals try to survive in the wilderness with minimal resources.
He described the series not as a typical competition, but as a raw depiction of survival. For Renner, watching the show was a valuable distraction that he believes aided his healing process.
The show’s theme of isolation resonated deeply with the actor’s own experience. “Recovery is the loneliest place,” he explained to the audience. “Anybody that’s been through some obstacles, it could be mental suffering… it’s a very lonely business.”
Renner recalled his physical limitations at the time, which made the solitary nature of the show all the more relatable. “I had nothing else to do,” he said. “I was laying flat on my back for a while with a big rubber band as my exercise machine.”
